On Tuesday, Vinesh Phogat achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final. She secured her spot in the finals by defeating Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba with a decisive 5-0 victory in the women’s freestyle 50kg semi-final. This win guarantees Phogat a silver medal, but she will be aiming for gold in the final match.
The match between Phogat and Lopez started off cautiously, with both wrestlers testing each other’s defenses. However, a passivity clock on Lopez allowed Phogat to score a technical point after Lopez played it safe. At the end of the first period, Phogat led 1-0. In the second period, Phogat built on her advantage by adding four more points, ensuring her victory.
Before reaching the semifinals, Phogat had a remarkable journey through the tournament. She initially defeated Ukraine’s Oksana Livach and caused a major upset by beating four-time world champion and reigning gold medalist Yui Susaki of Japan in the quarter-finals. This victory was considered one of the biggest surprises of the games.
Phogat’s path to the Olympics has not been smooth. Over the past year and a half, she accused the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) of trying to obstruct her participation in the Olympic qualifiers. She claimed that the federation created logistical hurdles for her support staff, although the WFI denied these accusations, stating that Phogat’s application for her coach and physio’s accreditation was submitted after the deadline.
Concerns About Doping and Safety
Phogat has also expressed concerns about being unfairly targeted in a doping case. She alleged that certain coaches appointed by the federation might be trying to sabotage her efforts. On her ‘X’ page, Phogat accused former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his associates of trying to prevent her from competing. She also questioned the fairness of the support she received, noting that her personal coach and physio did not receive the necessary accreditation.
Phogat’s journey reflects her incredible resilience and determination. Despite facing numerous obstacles both on and off the mat, she has made a significant mark in the world of wrestling and continues to push forward with courage and strength.
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